Help us Eliminate Ghost Networks in 2024

One of the biggest challenges Californians face in accessing behavioral healthcare is trying to find anyone on their health plan’s list of in-network providers who’s actually reachable or available to schedule a therapy session. That’s why NUHW is teaming up with allies this year to pass a bill that will put an end to “Ghost Networks” in California.

Assembly Bill 236 would make California a leader in holding health plans accountable for maintaining accurate lists of in-network providers, including mental health providers.

The bill, authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden, would require health plans to audit their own provider directories per standards set by the Department of Managed Health Care. Health plans would be required to achieve 80 percent accuracy by 2026 and 95 percent accuracy by 2028. Plans that fail to meet accuracy benchmarks would be fined.

NUHW views passing AB 236 as a priority for the coming legislative session that begins in January to continue building on our string of legislative successes over the past few years:

• 2020 — SB 855, which expanded the right of Californians to access medically necessary behavioral health care.
• 2021 — SB 221, a bill sponsored by NUHW that requires health plans to provide follow-up therapy sessions within 10 business days unless the treating clinician determines that a longer wait period would not be detrimental to the patient.
• 2022 — SB 858, which increased maximum penalties for violating timely access to care laws tenfold.
• 2023 — SB 770, which takes an important step toward a universal healthcare system in California that would guarantee the right to mental health care.